FE Steel Achieves Japan's First Green Hydrogen-Reduced Iron Production

FE Steel has produced a prototype of reduced iron using green hydrogen, a first for Japan, after initiating hydrogen-based direct reduction tests in late 2024. The pilot plant at JFE Steel's East Japan Works has a production capacity of 15 kg/h and conducted tests from June 29 to July 1, resulting in approximately 1 ton of reduced iron.

This effort is part of NEDO's Green Innovation Fund project, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions in the steel sector that accounts for about 14% of Japan's total CO2 emissions. Future plans include enhancing hydrogen production and collaborating across sectors to secure the necessary resources for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.